Crossing Borders
The Worldwide Church of God sponsors the
Generations Ministries with the mission "to promote and equip
cross-generational community in churches, ministries and families." An
outreach of this ministry is the "Crossing Borders" program, which is a
mission camp into Mexico. Every year the LHCF participates in this or
similar programs by sending wrapped gifts to needy children. The
following, written by Lee Berger, WCG pastor, is a summary of this
year's project:
On December 1, nine members of two Worldwide Church of God congregations
distributed 150 shoeboxes full of love to children in Nuevo
Laredo, Mexico, as part of our Crossing Borders camp
ministry program.
Each summer WCG Generations Ministry sponsors "Crossing
Borders"—a mission outreach camp into Mexico. During our
time of missionary work, we are able to visit and assist at
several children’s homes (as well as food banks, building
projects, Bible colleges, church services, etc.). We work
with a variety of churches and other ministries as we "cross
borders" in service to the people. To help maintain the
wonderful relationships we establish during the summer camp,
we return to Mexico during the winter to visit our Mexican
friends.
Members of the Austin, San Antonio and Waco, Texas WCG
congregations contributed items to fill about 100 shoeboxes
for the children and staff in Mexico. In addition, Living
Hope Christian Fellowship (Washington, DC area WCG
congregation) prepared and shipped 50 shoeboxes for us to
deliver (thanks to the efforts of Crossing Borders alumnus
Barbara Miller). The shoeboxes contain toothbrushes, combs,
washcloths, simple toys, stuffed animals, coloring books and
craft supplies. For the orphans and displaced children we
serve in Mexico, receiving these simple items is a valuable
and happy treat for them—and they reward us with lots of
smiles and hugs.
Consuelo and Pedro Orduño (from Summit Life Church in San
Antonio) have taken on this Mexico shoebox project as their
personal ministry. They coordinated the scheduling, the
shoebox collection and the transportation. Missionaries who
went to Mexico were: from San Antonio: Pedro and Consuelo
Orduño, Emily Guevarra, Lucero Villarreal, and Paul Kangas; from Austin:
Pastor Lee Berger, Roland and Milly Stoller. Ken Williams,
regional pastoral leader over the western U.S. also
participated.
Along with personally distributing the shoeboxes full of
good things to the well-behaved and grateful children, we
were able to lead the children in a Nativity Bible lesson to
share the good news of Jesus with them. After seeing the
shining eyes and smiling faces of the children and dedicated
staff as they received their shoeboxes, we’re looking
forward to our next opportunity to visit these dear children
of God.
To learn more about Crossing Borders mission camp: www.cbmission.org.
Dates for summer camp in 2008 are June 23-29 |
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